Taiwan News
Date: 2019/02/14
By:  Central News Agency

The CPTPP at its founding meeting. (By Associated Press)

The Japanese government welcomes all countries that can accept the principles and standards of a Japan-led international economic bloc, Taiwan included, and has called on Taipei to solicit support from other economic bloc members, a Taiwanese diplomat said Thursday.

Taiwan’s government has confirmed Tokyo’s official stance in welcoming Taipei’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Deputy Secretary-General Hsieh Bor-huei (謝柏輝) told a news briefing.

It has always been Japan’s stance that such a trade deal will be open to countries or regions that accept its principles and are willing to meet its standards, Hsieh said.

He said a previous comment made by Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, who said Taiwan’s decision to maintain a ban on Japanese food products from nuclear disaster-affected areas might hamper Taipei’s CPTPP bid was made in response to media inquires and may reflect his personal view only.    [FULL  STORY]